Multi-display based device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is provided that includes a first display and a second display. The electronic device also includes a processor configured to allocate a first set of resources to the first display and a second set of resources to the second display. The first set of resources is different from the second set of resources. Each of the first set of resources and the second set of resources includes one or more of at least one available hardware resource and at least one available software resource.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/013,536, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office onFeb. 2, 2016, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to KoreanPatent Application Serial No. 10-2015-0016342, which was filed in theKorean Intellectual Property Office on Feb. 2, 2015, the entiredisclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device havinga display, and more particularly, to an electronic device that includestwo or more displays and sets hardware resources or software resourcescorresponding to the two or more displays to be different from eachother, and a method executed on the electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Network devices such as base stations are installed throughout thecountry. The network devices receive data from and transmit data toother electronic devices through a network. Thus, a user is able tofreely utilize the network anywhere in the country.

Various kinds of electronic devices provide a variety of functions inaccordance with the recent trend of the digital convergence. Forexample, a smartphone supports a call function as well as an Internetconnection through the network. Furthermore, the smartphone supports afunction for reproducing music or videos, a function for capturingvideos or photos using an image sensor, and the like.

Generally, an electronic device provides a user with a variety ofinformation through a single display. However, an electronic device thatis equipped with a plurality of displays is also required to provide theabove-described functions.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides an electronic device thatoperates different applications on displays, on which the differentapplications are executed, from among a plurality of displays of theelectronic device, and a method thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice is provided that includes a first display and a second display.The electronic device also includes a processor configured to allocate afirst set of resources to the first display and a second set ofresources to the second display. The first set of resources is differentfrom the second set of resources. Each of the first set of resources andthe second set of resources includes one or more of at least oneavailable hardware resource and at least one available softwareresource.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodperformed on an electronic device is provided. A first set of resourcesis allocated to the first display. A second set of resources isallocated to the second display. The second set of resources isdifferent from the first set of resources. Each of the first set ofresources and the second set of resources comprises one or more of atleast one available hardware resource and at least one availablesoftware resource

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided that includes a first display and a seconddisplay. The electronic device also includes a memory storinginformation indicating a first set of resources allocated to the firstdisplay and a second set of resources allocated to the second display.The first set of resources is different from the second set ofresources. The electronic device further includes a processor configuredto execute an application of the first display in accordance with thefirst set of resources, and transition the application to execute on thesecond display in accordance with the second set of resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments ofthe present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device equippedwith a plurality of displays, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating hardware resources andsoftware resources available with respect to respective displays of anelectronic device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a processor of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a difference according to thenumber of task managers of a processor, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method in which an electronicdevice assigns a right for a hardware component to an application when aprocessor includes one task manager, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method in which an electronicdevice assigns a right for a hardware component to an application when aprocessor includes a plurality of task managers, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich an application is executed is changed through a user input and ahardware resource being used is changed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich an application is executed is changed through a user input and asoftware resource being used is changed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method in which an electronic devicesets a user account corresponding to an application based on a displaywhere the application is being executed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich a game application is executed is changed through a user input anda resource being used is changed, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich an instant message application is executed is changed through auser input and a resource being used is changed, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich a music player application is executed is changed through a userinput and a resource being used is changed, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich a video player application is executed is changed through a userinput and a resource being used is changed, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an operation in which applicationsrespectively executed on displays are exchanged through a user input andresources of the applications use are thus changed, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an operation in which applicationsrespectively executed on displays are paused through an operation offolding the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating an operation in which anapplication is executed when resources being used and correspondingdisplays are different from each other, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail withreference to accompanying drawings. The same or similar components maybe designated by the same or similar reference numerals although theyare illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions ofconstructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoidobscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure.

As described herein, the expressions “have”, “may have”, “include”,“comprise”, “may include”, and “may comprise” indicate the existence ofcorresponding features (e.g., elements such as numeric values,functions, operations, or components) but do not exclude presence ofadditional features.

As described herein, the expressions “A or B”, “at least one of A andB”, “one or more of A and B”, and the like may include any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example,the term “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “one or more of A andB” may refer to the case where at least one A is included, the casewhere at least one B is included, or the case where both of at least oneA and at least one B are included.

Terms, such as “first”, “second”, and the like, as used herein, mayrefer to various elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, but do not limit the elements. For example, such terms donot limit the order and/or priority of the elements. Furthermore, suchterms may be used to distinguish one element from another element. Forexample, without departing the scope of the present disclosure, a firstelement may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a secondelement may be referred to as a first element.

When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being“(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to”another element (e.g., a second element), it can be directly coupledwith/to or connected to the other element or an intervening element(e.g., a third element) may be present. In contrast, when an element(e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “directly coupledwith/to” or “directly connected to” another element (e.g., a secondelement), it should be understood that there is no intervening element(e.g., a third element).

According to the situation, the expression “configured to”, as usedherein, may be used interchangeably with, for example, the expression“suitable for”, “having the capacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”,“made to”, or “capable of”. The term “configured to” does not only mean“specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, the expression “adevice configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” operatingtogether with another device or other components. For example, a“processor configured to perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicatedprocessor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a correspondingoperation, or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processingunit (CPU) or an application processor) that may perform correspondingoperations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memorydevice.

Terms used herein are used to describe specified embodiments of thepresent disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The terms of a singular form may also include pluralforms unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise defined herein, allterms used herein, which include technical or scientific terms, may havethe same meanings that are generally understood by a person skilled inthe art. It will be further understood that terms, which are defined ina dictionary and are commonly used, should also be interpreted as iscustomary in the relevant related art, and not in an idealized or overlyformal detect unless expressly so defined herein in embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In some cases, even if terms are defined in thespecification, they may not be interpreted to exclude embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

An electronic device, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, may be embodied as at least one of a smartphone, a tabletpersonal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video telephone, an electronicbook reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, aworkstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 orMPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera, awearable device (e.g., head-mounted-device (HMD), such as electronicglasses), electronic apparel, an electronic bracelet, an electronicnecklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, a smartmirror, a smart band, a smart watch, and the like.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice may be embodied as a smart home appliance. The smart homeappliance may include at least one of, for example, a television (TV), adigital versatile disc (DVD) player, an audio player, a refrigerator, anair conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washingmachine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a TV box, a game console, anelectronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, an electronicpicture frame, and the like.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice may be embodied as at least one of a medical device (e.g.,various portable medical measurement devices (e.g., a blood glucosemonitoring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressuremeasuring device, a body temperature measuring device, and the like), amagnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), a computed tomography (CT), scanners, and ultrasonic devices)receiving a user input in an idle mode, a navigation device, a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), aflight data recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainment device, electronicequipment for vessels (e.g., navigation systems and gyrocompasses),avionics, a security device, a head unit for vehicles, an industrial orhome robot, an automated teller machine (ATM), a point of sales (POS)device, or an Internet of Things (IoT) device (e.g., light bulbs,various sensors, electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms,thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot watertanks, heaters, boilers, and the like).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice may be embodied as at least one of a part of furniture orbuildings/structures, an electronic board, an electronic signaturereceiving device, a projector, or various measuring instruments (e.g., awater meter, an electricity meter, a gas meter, or a wave meter, and thelike). According to embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device may be embodied as one of the above-described devicesor a combination thereof. An electronic device, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, may be a flexible electronicdevice. Also, an electronic device, according to embodiment of thepresent disclosure, is not limited to the above-described devices, andmay include new electronic devices according to technology development.

Hereinafter, electronic devices, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.The term “user”, as used herein, may refer to a person who uses anelectronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificialelectronic device) that uses an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device equippedwith a plurality of displays, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 includes twoor more displays (e.g., a first display 112 and a second display 114).

Each of the first display 112 and the second display 114 may be embodiedas, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode(LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanicalsystems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display.

Each of the first display 112 and the second display 114 may display,for example, various contents (e.g., text, an image, a video, an icon, asymbol, and the like) through a display module 110.

However, the shape, the position, the size, and the type of each of thefirst display 112 and the second display 114 are not limited to thoseillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, a shape of each of the first display112 and the second display 114 may not be rectangular, or the sizes ofthe first display 112 and the second display 114 may be different fromeach other.

Furthermore, the first display 112 may be disposed at the front of theelectronic device 100, and the second display 114 may be disposed at therear of the electronic device 100.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and seconddisplays 112 and 114 may correspond to independent display panels.Alternatively, the first and second displays 112 and 114 may correspondto different areas defined on a single display panel.

The electronic device 100 includes the display module 110, a processor120, a user input receiving module 130, and a memory 140. However, theelectronic device 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is only one of variousembodiments of the present disclosure and may be changed or modifiedbased on components illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the electronicdevice 100 may further include input devices, such as, for example, akeyboard for receiving instructions or information from a user, a mouse,and the like. Furthermore, the electronic device 100 may further includean antenna, a radio frequency IC (RFIC), and a communication module forcommunication with an external device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, applicationexecution screens and the like may be displayed on the first display 112and the second display 114 under control of the display module 110. Theapplication execution screen may include the various pieces of content,as described above. Furthermore, the application execution screen mayrefer to a background screen including application icons, widgetscreens, and the like.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 120may perform data processing or an operation associated with controland/or communication of at least one or more other components (e.g., thedisplay module 110, the user input receiving module 130, the memory 140,and the like).

The processor 120 may be implemented with, for example, a system on chip(SoC) and may include one or more of a CPU, a graphic processing unit(GPU), an image signal processor, an application processor (AP), or acommunication processor (CP).

The processor 120 may load and process an instruction or data, which isreceived from at least one other component, and may store a variety ofdata in the memory 140.

The processor 120 may apply available resources (e.g., hardwareresources, software resources, or the like) to the first display 112 andthe second display 114. In this case, the processor 120 may assignresources, which are available in common with respect to the firstdisplay 112 and the second display 114, to the first display 112 and thesecond display 114 as needed.

However, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a resource(hereinafter a “first resource”) corresponding to the first display 112and a resource (hereinafter a “second resource”) corresponding to thesecond display 114 may have independently predetermined magnitudes(e.g., a first resource magnitude and a second resource magnitude). If ahardware resource or a software resource is used with respect to thefirst display 112, a resource may be assigned within a first resourcemagnitude range as needed. If a hardware resource or a software resourceis used with respect to the second display 114, a resource may beassigned within a second resource magnitude range as needed. Forexample, if the electronic device 101 has a RAM with a capacity of 8 MB,the processor 120 can assign up to 50% the RAM to the first display 112and can assign up to 25% of the RAM to the second display 114. In thiscase, if the hardware (i.e., RAM) resource is used with respect to thefirst display 112, the capacity of the RAM may be assigned within 4 MB(i.e., the first resource magnitude range) as needed.

For example, a resource may be assigned according to a request of anapplication executed by the processor 120. However, whether anapplication executed by the processor 120 is displayed on the firstdisplay 112 or the second display 114 may be determined in advance.

In an example in which the hardware resources are applied differently tothe first display 112 and the second display 114, the processor 120 maydetermine that hardware components accessible with respect to the firstdisplay 112 and hardware components accessible with respect to thesecond display 114 are different from each other. The hardwarecomponents may include, for example, a speaker, a microphone, areceiver, a sensor, a communication module, and the like.

In an example in which the software resources are applied different tothe first display 112 and the second display 114, the processor 120 maydetermine that a user account corresponding to the first display 112 anda user account corresponding to the second display 114 are differentfrom each other. Furthermore, the processor 120 may determine a securitylevel corresponding to the first display 112 and a security levelcorresponding to the second display 114 to be different from each other.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the user inputreceiving module 130 may receive a user input, which allows anapplication execution screen displayed on the first display 112 to bedisplayed on the second display 114. Alternatively, the user inputreceiving module 130 may receive a user input, which allows anapplication execution screen, displayed on the second display 114 to bedisplayed on the first display 112. The user input may be receivedthrough a menu user interface (UI) or may be received through anoperation of swiping a user's finger(s) on the first display 112 in adirection of the second display 114, or on the second display 114 in adirection of the first display 112.

The user input may include a touch input on the first display 112 or thesecond display 114 using a finger or stylus (e.g., an S-pen or thelike). The touch input may mean that the finger or stylus makes physicalcontact with a screen of the electronic device 100.

However, the user input may also be implemented when a finger or stylusdoes not make contact with a screen (e.g., a hovering state). Forexample, when a finger is within a specified distance of the firstdisplay 112 or the second display 114, the electronic device 100 maydetect a. variation in an electromagnetic field caused by the finger.The user input receiving module 130 may determine whether the user inputoccurs, based on the detected variation. Similarly, when the stylus isclose to the first display 112 or the second display 114, the user inputreceiving module 130 may determine that the touch input occurs.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 120may allow an application execution screen, displayed on the firstdisplay 112, to be displayed on the second display 114 through thedisplay module 110, based on the user input received by the user inputreceiving module 130. Furthermore, the processor 120 may reset theapplication execution screen displayed on the second display 114 so asto use a hardware resource or software resource available with respectto the second display 114.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the memory 140 maystore data. The data stored in the memory 140 may include data exchangedbetween internal components of the electronic device 100, and dataexchanged between the electronic device 100 and components outside theelectronic device 100. For example, the memory 140 may store a list ofresources available with respect to the first display 112 and the seconddisplay 114.

The memory 140 may include an embedded (or internal) memory or anexternal memory. For example, the embedded memory may include at leastone of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), astatic RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)), a nonvolatile memory(e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmableROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electricallyerasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a NANDflash memory, or a NOR flash memory), a hard disk drive (HDD), or asolid state drive (SSD).

The external memory may include a flash drive, such as, for example,compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital(Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD),multimedia card (MMC), or memory stick. The external memory may befunctionally and/or physically connected to the electronic device 100through various interfaces.

The display module 110, the processor 120, the user input receivingmodule 130, and the memory 140 may be implemented independently of eachother, or two or more of the components may be integrated.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating hardware resources andsoftware resources available with respect to displays of an electronicdevice 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 2A, a hardware resource and a software resource (hereinafter afirst resource 210) are available with respect to the first display 112and a hardware resource and a software resource (hereinafter a secondresource 220) are available with respect to the second display 114.

Referring to FIG. 2A, for example, in the hardware resource, the firstresource 210 includes a Wi-Fi communication module for using a Wi-Finetwork, and the second resource 220 includes a Wi-Fi communicationmodule for using a Wi-Fi network, a cellular communication module forusing a 4G LTE network, a microphone, a camera, a speaker, and atemperature sensor. The Wi-Fi communication module is in a common area230 of the first resource 210 and the second resource 220. Thus, theWi-Fi communication module may be available with respect to both thefirst display 112 and the second display 114.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may further include one or more of a Bluetooth communicationmodule, a near field communication (NFC) communication module, a globalpositioning system (GPS) communication module, a cellular communicationmodule for using a 3G network, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, abarometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, agrip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor (e.g., red, green, blue(RGB) sensor), a biometric sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminancesensor, a ultra violet (UV) sensor, an E-nose sensor, anelectromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, anelectrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor,fingerprint sensor, and the like, as hardware resources. Under controlof the processor 120, at least one of the components in the firstresource 210 or the second resource 220 may be available.

In the software resource, the first resource 210 may include a useraccount of “Tim”, and the second resource 220 may include a user accountof “Mark”. The processor 120 may allow all applications or eachapplication to have different user accounts corresponding to the firstdisplay 112 and the second display 114, respectively.

For example, a user may utilize the first display 112 for personalpurposes and the second display 114 for business purposes. Additionally,the user may use the first display 112 for personal purposes and thesecond display 114 for children's purposes. When children are permittedto use the electronic device 100, there may be a need to restrict theresource, because information to be provided to the children needs berestricted.

In order to determine different user accounts, the processor 120 mayselect a subscriber identification module (SIM) card corresponding tothe first display 112 and a different SIM card corresponding to thesecond display 114. The SIM card may include, for example, uniqueidentify information (e.g., integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID))or subscriber information (e.g., integrated mobile subscriber identity(IMSI)).

Although not illustrated in FIG. 2A, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the processor 120 may determine a security levelcorresponding to the first display 112 and a different security levelcorresponding to the second display 114.

In FIG. 2B, the first resource 210, which is available with respect tothe first display 112, the second resource, which is available withrespect to the second display 114, and a hardware resource and asoftware resource (hereinafter referred to as a third resource 240),which are available with respect to a third display 116, are shown.

Referring to FIG. 2B, for example, in the hardware resource, the firstresource 210 includes a Wi-Fi communication module for using a Wi-Finetwork, and the second resource 220 includes a Wi-Fi communicationmodule for using a Wi-Fi network, a cellular communication module forusing a 4G LTE network, a microphone, a camera, a speaker, and atemperature sensor. In addition, the third resource 240 includes aspeaker and a notification module. The Wi-Fi communication module is inthe common area 230 between the first resource 210 and the secondresource 220, and thus, the Wi-Fi communication module is available withrespect to both the first display 112 and the second display 114.Furthermore, the speaker is in a common area 250 between the secondresource 220 and the third resource 240, and thus, the speaker isavailable with respect to both the second display 114 and the thirddisplay 116.

In the software resource, the first resource 210 includes a user accountof “Tim”, and the second resource 220 includes a user account of “Mark”.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment in which the number of displays is 2,and FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment in which the number of displays is3. Even when the electronic device 100 is equipped with four or moredisplays, hardware resources and software resources may be differentlyapplied thereto, as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a processor of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processor 120includes a task manager 122, a resource manager 124, and an accountmanager 126.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the task manager 122may assign an access right about at least one hardware component to anapplication executed on the first display 112 or the second display 114.As described above, the hardware components may include a camera, aspeaker, a microphone, a receiver, a sensor, and a communication module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the resource manager124 may receive an access request about at least one of the hardwarecomponents from the executed application. Furthermore, the resourcemanager 124 may transfer the received access request to the task manager122. The assigning of the access right at the task manager 122 mayinclude receiving the access request and assigning the access rightbased on a result of determining whether a display where the applicationis being executed is the first display 122 or the second display 114.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the task manager 122may include a plurality of task managers of which the number is the sameas the number of displays. For example, the task manager 122 may includea first task manager corresponding to the first display 112, and asecond task manager corresponding to the second display 114. A subjectthat determines whether a display where the application runs is thefirst display 112 or the second display 114 may be the resource manager124. The resource manager 124 may transfer the received access requestto the first task manager or the second task manager based on thedetermination result.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the account manager126 may determine whether an application is executed on the firstdisplay 112 or the second display 114 and may enable a correspondingaccount based on the determination result. The account manager 126includes an account cache 128 that stores account information. Theaccount cache 128 includes a plurality of account caches of which thenumber is the same as the number of displays included in the electronicdevice 100. The plurality of account caches may respectively storepieces of account information that are determined differently for eachdisplay.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a difference that existsaccording to the number of task managers of a processor, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4A, the processor 120includes one task manager 122. In FIG. 4B, the task manager 122 includesa first task manager 122 a and a second task manager 122 b.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the task manager 122 may assign a right about ahardware resource to each of the first display 122 and the seconddisplay 114.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the task manager 122 a may assign a right about ahardware resource to the first display 122, and the task manager 122 bmay assign a right about a hardware resource to the second display 122.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, hardware componentsavailable with respect to the first display 112 may include only a Wi-Ficommunication module, and a camera, a speaker, a microphone, and thelike may be restricted with respect to the first display 112. Incontrast, all hardware components included in the electronic device 100may be available with respect to the second display 112.

An application, which is executed on the first display 112, requests anaccess right for a microphone or a camera from the resource manager 124in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the task manager 122 may receive an access rightfrom the resource manager 124, may determine whether a displaycorresponding to the application is the first display 112 or the seconddisplay 114, and may refuse the access right based on a result of thedetermination.

In contrast, referring to FIG. 4B, the resource manager 124 maydetermine whether a display corresponding to the application is thefirst display 112 or the second display 114, based on the requestedaccess right, and may transfer the access right to the first taskmanager 122 a based on a result of the determination. The first taskmanager 122 a may refuse the access right based on whether theapplication corresponding to the first display 112 has an access rightfor the microphone or the camera.

Operations performed with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B are described ingreater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method in which an electronicdevice assigns a right about a hardware component to an application whena processor includes a single task manager, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. With respect to the method of FIG. 5,operations are included that the electronic device 100, according toFIGS. 4A and 4B, processes time-sequentially. The electronic device 100,as described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 4, may be applied to theassigning method illustrated in FIG. 5. An application 500 is executedon the first display 112, which is set such that access to a cameraresource is restricted.

In step 502, the application 500 sends a request to the task manager 122to register a task, according to an execution of the application 500.

In step 504, the task manager 122 registers a task for the application500 based on the received request. The task manager 122 may register adisplay position (e.g., a position of the first display 112) for theapplication 500 together with the task.

In step 506, the application 500 sends a request for a right for acamera resource to the resource manager 124.

In step 508, the resource manager 124 transfers the received rightrequest to the task manager 122.

In step 510, the task manager 122 searches for a display position forthe application 500 based on the received right request.

In step 512, the task manager 122 determines whether the camera resourceis restricted with regard to the first display 112, based on the displayposition found in operation 510.

In step 514, the task manager 122 transmits a result of thedetermination of step 512 to the resource manager 124.

In step 516, the resource manager 124 notifies the application 500 thataccess to the camera resource is not possible, based on the resultreceived in step 514.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method in which an electronicdevice assigns a right for a hardware component to an application when aprocessor includes a plurality of task managers, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. With respect to the method of FIG.6, operations are included that the electronic device 100, according toFIGS. 4A and 4B, processes time-sequentially. The electronic device 100,as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, may be applied to theassigning method illustrated in FIG. 6. As described with reference toFIG. 5, an application 600 is executed on the first display 112, whichis set such that an access to a camera resource is restricted.

In step 602, the application 600 sends a request to the task manager 122a to register a task, according to an execution of the application 600.If the application 600 is executed on the second display 114, theapplication 600 may send a request to the task manager 122 b to registerthe task. Unlike the method described with reference to FIG. 5, the taskmanager 122 a does not separately store a display position correspondingto the application 600.

In step 604, the application 600 sends a request for a right for acamera resource to the resource manager 124.

In step 606, the resource manager 124 determines a display position forthe application 600 based on the received right request. The displayposition corresponding to the application 600 may be included in asignal packet of the right request.

In step 608, the resource manager 124 transfers the received rightrequest to the task manager 122 a corresponding to the first display112, based on a result of the determination in step 606.

In step 610, the task manager 122 a determines whether the cameraresource is a resource that is restricted with regard to the firstdisplay 112. In addition, the task manager 122 a transmits a result ofthe determination to the resource manager 124.

In step 612, the resource manager 124 notifies the application 600 thataccess to the camera resource is not possible, based on the resultreceived in step 610.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich an application is executed is changed through a user input and ahardware resource being used is changed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Hardware resources available on each of thefirst display 112 and the second display 114 are described withreference to hardware components illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Referring to FIG. 7, a first operational state 710 transitions to asecond operational state 720 based on a user input for an executionscreen of an application 700 displayed on the second display 114. Whenthe first operational state 710 is changed into the second operationalstate 720, the execution screen of the application 700 displayed on thesecond display 114 is moved to and displayed on the first display 112.The user input may refer to an operation (e.g., a swipe operation) offlicking a user input tool, such as a finger or a stylus, on the seconddisplay 114 in a direction of the first display 112.

A video call application 700 is executed on the first operational state710 and the second operational state 720. Referring to the firstoperational state 710, an application being executed on the seconddisplay 114 may be able to use all hardware resources, and thus, thevideo call application 700 may use all desired hardware components, suchas, for example, a microphone, a camera, a receiver, and the like. Forexample, an image of a user of the electronic device 100 may bedisplayed on an area 702 through a camera. Furthermore, the user maytransfer the user's voice to the opposite party through a microphone andmay hear a voice of the opposite party through a receiver.

In contrast, since an application being executed on the first display112 is only able to use a Wi-Fi communication module, the video callapplication 700 cannot use hardware components, such as, for example, amicrophone, a camera, a receiver, and the like. Referring to the secondoperational state 720, therefore, an image of the user of the electronicdevice 100 may not be displayed on the area 702, and a mute icon may bedisplayed on an area 704. The application 700 may end if the video callis made using a cellular communication module, and not the Wi-Ficommunication module.

In order to perform another task while making the video call, or receivea call through a cellular network, the user may set the video call to acall waiting state.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a softwareresource where an application is executed is changed through a userinput, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Useraccounts corresponding to the first and second displays 112 and 114,described with reference to FIG. 2, are exemplified as the softwareresource.

In FIG. 8, an application 800 that is displayed on the first display 112in a first operational state 810 is moved to the second display 114 in asecond operational state 820 through the user input. As with FIG. 7, theuser input may mean an operation (e.g., a swipe operation) of flicking auser input tool, such as a finger or a stylus, on the first display 112in a direction of the second display 114.

The application 800 of FIG. 8 is an e-mail application 800. In the firstoperational state 810, the e-mail application 800 executed on the firstdisplay 112 refers to a user account of “Mark”, and a list of e-mailssent to “Mark” are displayed on the first display 112. In the secondoperational state 820, the e-mail application 800 executed on the seconddisplay 114 refers to a user account of “Tim”, and a list of e-mailssent to “Tim” are displayed on the second display 114.

Thus, the user may use an application with various accounts through aplurality of displays. The processor 120 may determine softwareresources including the user account to be different for each display,thereby allowing the user to independently utilize one display forpersonal purposes and another display for business purposes with oneelectronic device. Furthermore, the processor 120 may set securitylevels differently for each display, thereby making it possible toindependently utilize one display for personal purposes and anotherdisplay for children with a single electronic device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method in which an electronic devicesets a user account corresponding to an application based on a displaywhere the application is being executed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. With respect to the user account setting methodof FIG. 9, operations are included that the electronic device 100,according to FIGS. 1 to 8, processes time-sequentially. The electronicdevice 100, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, may be applied to the useraccount setting method illustrated in FIG. 9.

In step 902, an application 900 sends a request to the task manager 122to register a task according to an execution of the application 900.Further, in step 902, the application 900 notifies the task manager 122that a display move (or change) request is received through a userinput.

In step 904, based on the task registration request received in step902, the task manager 122 registers a task about the application 900 andalso sets a user account for the application 900. If a notificationabout a display move request is received in step 902, the task manager122 resets a user account corresponding to a display where theapplication 900 is executed before moving the application 900, and newlysets a user account corresponding to a display where the application 900is executed after it is moved.

In step 906 a, the application 900 sends a request to retrieve a defaultaccount containing account information to the account manager 126, andsimultaneously (or subsequently) notifies the account manager 126 that adisplay where the application 900 is being executed is the first display112 or the second display 114. In this case, the application 900requests account information from a first account cache 128 a or asecond account cache 128 b corresponding to a display where theapplication 900 is being executed, in step 906 b or step 906 c.

In step 908 a, the account manager 126 transmits the account informationrequested in step 906 a to the application 900. Alternatively, in step908 b or step 908 c, the requested account information is transmittedfrom a corresponding account cache 128 a or 128 b to the application900.

In operation 910, the application 900 updates an application executionscreen to be displayed on a display, based on account informationreceived in at least one of step 908 a to step 908 c.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a resource beingused is changed as a display on which a game application is executed ischanged through a user input received from a user, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 10, an execution screen of a game application 1000 displayed onthe second display 112 in first operational state 1010 is moved to thesecond display 114 in second operational state 1020 through user input.The user input may refer to an operation (e.g., a swipe operation) offlicking a user input tool, such as a finger or a stylus, on the firstdisplay 112 in a direction of the second display 114.

An execution screen of the game application 1000 executed on the firstdisplay 112 is different from an execution screen of the gameapplication 1000 executed on the second display 114. The executionscreen of the game application 1000 executed on the first display 112corresponds to a first user account, and the execution screen of thegame application 1000 executed on the second display 114 corresponds toa second user account.

That is, a software resource being used may be changed as a displaywhere the game application 1000 is executed is changed. Accordingly, theuser may enjoy a game by changing only a display where the gameapplication 1000 is executed. For example, if a user utilizes aplurality of accounts to control a plurality of characters, aconventional user may be forced to repeat login and logout operationswhenever an account is changed. In contrast, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure, a user may use different accounts by changingonly a display where the game application 1000 is executed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich an instant message application 1100 is executed is changed througha user input received from a user and a resource being used is thuschanged, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 11, an execution screen of an instant message application 1100is displayed on the first display 112 in first operational state 1110,and is moved to and displayed on the second display 114 in secondoperational state 1120, through a user input. The user input may referto an operation (e.g., a swipe operation) of flicking a user input tool,such as a finger or a stylus, on the first display 112 in a direction ofthe second display 114.

An execution screen of the instant message application 1100 executed onthe first display 112 is different from an execution screen of theinstant message application 1100 executed on the second display 114. Theexecution screen of the instant message application 1100 executed on thefirst display 112 corresponds to a first user account, and the executionscreen of the instant message application 1100 executed on the seconddisplay 114 corresponds to a second user account. For example, each ofscreens displayed in the first operational state 1110 and the secondoperational state 1120 refer to a friend list of the instant messageapplication 1100. The friend list may correspond to a phone address bookhistory stored in the electronic device 100. The instant messageapplication 1100 executed on the first display 112 may use a phoneaddress book corresponding to the first display 112, and the instantmessage application 1100 executed on the second display 114 may use aphone address book corresponding to the second display 114. That is, asoftware resource being used may be changed when a display where theinstant message application 1100 is executed is changed.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a phone address bookcorresponding to the first display 112 and a phone address bookcorresponding to the second display 114 may not exist separately. Inthis case, the electronic device 100 may use one phone address book andmay make security levels different such that the instant messageapplication 1100 displays different friend lists for each display.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich a music player application is executed is changed through a userinput and a resource being used is changed, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

In FIG. 12, an execution screen of a music player application 1200 isdisplayed on the second display 112 in first operational state 1210, andis moved to the second display 114 in second operational state 1220,through a user input. When the music player application 1200 is executedon the first display 112, the music player application 1200 reproducesmusic through a speaker 150, which is a hardware resource correspondingto the first display 112. When the music player application 1200 isexecuted on the second display 114, the music player application 1200reproduces music through an external device 1230, which is a hardwareresource corresponding to the second display 114 and is connected usinga communication module (e.g., Bluetooth (BT)).

Consequently, the user may change a music reproduction method (e.g., amusic output device) by changing a display where the music playerapplication 1200 is executed, through a user input.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the user mayreproduce music with different music reproduction lists throughdifferent user accounts by changing a display where the music playerapplication 1200 is executed, through a user input.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which a display onwhich a video player application is executed is changed through a userinput and a resource being used is changed, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

In FIG. 13, an execution screen of a video player application 1300 isdisplayed on the second display 112 in a first operational state 1310,and is moved to the second display 114 in a second operational state1320, through user input. When the video player application 1300 isexecuted on the first display 112, the video player application 1300reproduces the video through the first display 112 which is a hardwareresource corresponding to the first display 112. When the video playerapplication 1300 is executed on the second display 114, the video playerapplication 1300 reproduces the video through an external device 1330,which is a hardware resource corresponding to the second display 114 andis connected using a communication module (e.g., Bluetooth (BT)). Forexample, the electronic device 100 may mirror a video reproduced on thesecond display 114 to the external device 1330 using the communicationmodule.

Consequently, the user may change a video reproduction device bychanging a display where the video player application 1300 is executed,through a user input.

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an operation in which applicationsrespectively executed on displays are exchanged through a user inputreceived from a user and resources of the applications use are changed,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14A, in a first operational state 1410, a music playerapplication 1400 a is executed on the first display 112, and musicreproduced by the music player application 1400 a is reproduced by caraudio equipment 1430 through a communication module. Furthermore, avideo call application 1400 b is executed on the second display 114, anda call sound is outputted from wireless headphones 1440 through thecommunication module.

The first operational state 1410 transitions to the second operationalstate 1420 through a specific type of user input provided from a user.That is, a position of an application executed on the first display 112and a position of an application executed on the second display 114 areexchanged through the specific type of user input.

In the second operational state 1420, the video call application 1400 bis executed on the first display 112, and a call sound is reproduced bythe car audio equipment 1430 through the communication module.Furthermore, a music player application 1400 a is executed on the seconddisplay 114, and music is reproduced by the wireless headphones 1440through the communication module.

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an operation in which applicationsrespectively executed on displays are paused by folding the electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First operational state 1450 of FIG. 14B corresponds to secondoperational state 1420 of FIG. 14A. According to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, when a user folds the electronic device 100, thefirst operational state 1450 transitions to the second operational state1460.

The call application 1400 b executed on the first display 112 is set toa call waiting state in the second operational state 1460. Likewise, themusic player application 1400 a executed on the second display 114 isset to a pause state in the second operational state 1460. Anotification indicating the call waiting state and the pause state isdisplayed on the third display 116. Alternatively, an indication that aconnection with the external devices 1430 and 1440 is paused may bedisplayed on the third display 116.

Even though the electronic device 100 is shown as unfolded in the secondoperational state 1460, the electronic device 100 may actually be foldedand may be illustrated as being unfolded to illustrate the state of thescreens. When the electronic device 100 is folded, the third display 116may remain visible.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating an operation in which anapplication is executed when resources being used and corresponding todisplays are different from each other, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the first display 112 may be in conjunction witha first SIM 102, and the second display 114 may be in conjunction with asecond SIM 104. The first and second SIMs 102 and 104 may correspond todifferent operators.

Referring to FIG. 15A, when a user selects a call application icondisplayed on the first display 112 in a first operational state 1510,the electronic device 100 executes a call application 1500 a through afirst operator 1530 in a second operational state 1520.

Referring to FIG. 15B, when a user selects a call application icondisplayed on the second display 114 in a first operational state 1550,the electronic device 100 executes a call application 1500 b through asecond operator 1540 in a second operational state 1560.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the user may make acall with a call forwarding number through the first display 112 and maymake a call with an original number through the second display 114.

Alternatively, a call using the first display 112 may be a data call,and a call using the second display 114 may be a voice call.

The term “module”, as used herein, may represent, for example, a unitincluding one or more combinations of hardware, software, and firmware.The term “module” may be interchangeably used with the terms “unit”,“logic”, “logical block”, “component” and “circuit”. A module may be aminimum unit of an integrated component or may be a part thereof. Amodule may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or apart thereof. A module may be implemented mechanically orelectronically. For example, a module may include at least one of anapplication-specific IC (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array(FPGA), and a programmable-logic device for performing some operations,which are known or will be developed.

At least a portion of an apparatus (e.g., modules or functions thereof)or a method (e.g., operations) according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be, for example, implemented by instructions stored in acomputer-readable storage media in the form of a program module. Theinstructions, when executed by one or more processors (e.g., theprocessor 120), may cause the one or more processors to perform afunction corresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storagemedia, for example, may be the memory 140.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer recordingmedium may be recorded with an instruction, and the instruction, whenexecuted by at least one processor, causes the processor to perform amethod including executing an application on the first display or thesecond display, determining whether the application is executed on thefirst display or the second display, and utilizing a correspondinghardware resource or software resource at the executed application,based on the determination result.

A computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a magneticmedia, a floppy disk, a magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), anoptical media (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and adigital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical media (e.g., a flopticaldisk), and hardware devices (e.g., a read only memory (ROM), a randomaccess memory (RAM), or a flash memory). Also, a program instruction mayinclude not only a mechanical code, such as things generated by acompiler, but also a high-level language code executable on a computerusing an interpreter. The above hardware unit may be configured tooperate via one or more software modules for performing an operation ofthe present disclosure, and vice versa.

A module or a program module according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include at least one of the above-described elements, aportion of the above-described elements may be omitted, or additionalelements may be included. Operations performed by a module, a programmodule, or other elements, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or ina heuristic method. Also, a portion of operations may be executed indifferent sequences, omitted, or other operations may be added.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, available hardwareresources or software resources may be set differently for each display,and thus, a user may independently use displays of an electronic devicefor each use.

For example, the user may utilize the displays of the electronic devicefor the business use and for personal use. Furthermore, the user mayutilize the displays of the electronic device for children and forpersonal use. As a result, it may be possible to improve userconvenience.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a firstdisplay; a second display; and a processor configured to allocate afirst set of resources to the first display and a second set ofresources to the second display, the first set of resources beingdifferent from the second set of resources, and each of the first set ofresources and the second set of resources comprising one or more of atleast one available hardware resource and at least one availablesoftware resource.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a firsthardware component accessible with respect to the first display isdifferent from a second hardware component accessible with respect tothe second display.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein thefirst hardware component and the second hardware component are selectedfrom a plurality of hardware components comprising a camera, a speaker,a microphone, a receiver, a sensor, and a communication module.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 3, wherein the processor comprises: aresource manager configured to receive an access request for at leastone of the plurality of hardware components from an application executedon the first display or the second display; and a task managerconfigured to assign an access right for the at least one of theplurality of hardware components to the application.
 5. The electronicdevice of claim 4, wherein: the resource manager transfers the accessrequest to the task manager, and the task manager determines whether theapplication is executed on the first display or the second display, andassigns the access right based on a result of determining whether theapplication is executed on the first display or the second display. 6.The electronic device of claim 4, wherein: the task manager is includedin the processor as a first task manager corresponding to the firstdisplay and a second task manager corresponding to the second display,and the resource manager determines whether the application is executedon the first display or the second display, and transfers the receivedaccess request to the first task manager or the second task managerbased on a result of determining whether the application is executed onthe first display or the second display.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein a first user account corresponding to the first displayis different from a second user account corresponding to the seconddisplay.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the processorcomprises: an account manager configured to determine whether anapplication is executed on the first display or the second display, andto enable one of the first account and the second account based on aresult of determining whether the application is executed on the firstdisplay or the second display.
 9. The electronic device of claim 7,wherein a first subscriber identification module (SIM) cardcorresponding to the first display is different from a second SIM cardcorresponding to the second display.
 10. The electronic device of claim1, wherein a first security level corresponding to the first display isdifferent from a security level corresponding to the second display. 11.A method performed on an electronic device, the method comprising;allocating a first set of resources to the first display; and allocatinga second set of resources to the second display, the second set ofresources being different from the first set of resources, wherein eachof the first set of resources and the second set of resources comprisesone or more of at least one available hardware resource and at least oneavailable software resource.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: executing an application on the first display or the seconddisplay; determining whether the application is executed on the firstdisplay or the second display; utilizing a corresponding hardwareresource or software resource at the executed application, based on aresult of determining whether the application is executed on the firstdisplay or the second display.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein theat least one available hardware component comprises a camera, a speaker,a microphone, a receiver, a sensor, and a communication module.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: setting a first user accountwith respect to the first display and a second user account with respectto the second display.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:setting a first security level with respect to the first display andsetting a second security level with respect to the second display. 16.An electronic device, comprising: a first display; a second display; amemory storing information indicating a first set of resources allocatedto the first display and a second set of resources allocated to thesecond display, the first set of resources being different from thesecond set of resources; and a processor configured to execute anapplication of the first display in accordance with the first set ofresources, and transition the application to execute on the seconddisplay in accordance with the second set of resources.
 17. Theelectronic device of claim 16, wherein each of the first set ofresources and the second set of resources comprises one or more of atleast one available hardware resource and at least one availablesoftware resource.
 18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein theprocessor is further configured to disable a hardware componentassociated with the first set of resources and not associated with thesecond set of resources, upon transitioning the application to executeon the second display.
 19. The electronic device of claim 16, whereinthe processor is further configured to change the application such thatit is executed by another user, upon transitioning the application toexecute on the second display.
 20. The electronic device of claim 16,wherein the processor is further configured to change an output devicecorresponding to the application, upon transitioning the application toexecute on the second display.